Sarke is the name of a man well-known in the black metal scene, who played in such significant bands as Khold, Tulus, Old Man’s Child, Sensa Anima. But this is not about one person, but about a new project that he founded in 2008, deciding to bring together the best of the dark legends such as Mayhem, Slayer, Darkthrone, Celtic Frost, Black Sabbath, Candlemass, Death, Motorhead and Kreator. In fact, he decided to play the music he loved even before his own musical creation, which, in fact, motivated him to pursue music.

Sarke performs and writes all the music for the album himself, and even writes the lyrics himself, but now the legendary Nocturno Culto from Darkthrone has been successfully invited to perform lead vocals in the band. This is how they recorded their debut album Vorunah in 2009.

From my point of view, this is exactly what the perfect black metal should sound like in 2009: with old-school trash, a hard and boring sound, slow riffs and Celtic frost on the vocals./

Review of the album “Vorunah”
For the intriguing press release of “Vorunah”, the fact that it was recorded by the duo of the leaders of the Norwegian black metal scene Sark (Hold, Tulus) and Nocturno Kulto (Darkthrone) was enough. This is their first album together, so it’s a special interest.

It was based on the extensive legacy of thrash metal/ crust, complemented by the specific atmosphere of keyboard arrangements. The unique energy, even emotionality, serves as an indisputable proof of the success of the whole venture. Unexpectedly soulful symphonic inserts against the background of gloomy “monolithic” metal (do you remember the album of the cult Amebix – “Monolith”?) they leave a devastating impression. Even if not everyone is able to perceive such energy. But it is inconceivable that such a fate could befall fans of Celtic Frost, Venom, Amebix, etc.

Nocturno Culto’s vocals also match the music. Who has heard the latest works of Darktron – nothing new has appeared in his voice. In fact, it looks like it’s the same Darkthrone, but noticeably cooler. What leaves much to be desired is the “texts”. Short, uncomplicated sketches on the subject of human vices: the desire to kill, drunkenness, debauchery and cheap cemetery horror stories – that’s all Sark can tell us. And where is the volume of Amoebix’s “Last Will and Testament”? Let’s put it down to poor English language skills. The same Dark Throne in the eloquence of their texts is just around the corner. Well, at least the concept of the album was stable. In his interview, Sarke deciphered the meaning of the mysterious “Raven”: It’s a monster, something that lives inside you. You can hate him, but you can’t control him. Let’s be honest with ourselves, yes – this something exists, even if it can be contained, under other normal conditions.

There are no complaints about the music – in this case, you either like it or you don’t like it. And it’s not just about the symphonic inserts. Stunning riffs, a change of tempo (when two minutes of high-speed playing are replaced by a predictable pause and lingering Black Sabbath riffs), direct and sharp, but not fast drum parts, a stable atmosphere – all this is beautiful and sharp. Metal, as it should be.

There is no seasonality in such music. This is true in any weather, always! Just adjust your perception to a cruel and majestic performance about a person’s inner struggle with his own vices. If someone asks me which is more interesting: Sarke or the modern Darktron, I will undoubtedly give preference to the former.

Current squad
Nocturno Culto (Ted Skjellum) – vocals (Darkthrone, Satyricon, Vidsyn)
Sarke (Thomas Bergley) – guitar, bass, drums (Tulus, Hold, Sensa Anima, Valhalla, Old Man’s Child)

Alive\ Session participants
Cyrus (Terje Andersen) – guitar (Sasperia, The Old Man’s Child, Satyricon, The Fall of the Crown, Sensa Anima, Dimmu Borgir)
Steinar Gundersen – guitar (Satyricon, Spiral Architect, System: Obscure)
Asgeir Mickelson – drums (Enslavement of Beauty, Highland Glory, Ihsan, Lunaris, Skariot, Spiral Architect, Tornbound, Wintersorg, Borknagar)
Anders Hunstad – keyboards (Tulus, El Caco, Autopowder, Morten Abel)